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For 15 years, Mario Batali has been cooking his unique brand of rustic Italian dishes on the Food Network, but his life in food extends far beyond the airwaves. He’s one of the busiest chefs in New York City. He opened his first restaurant, “Babbo,” in 1998 and was immediately awarded Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. Other restaurants followed in quick succession with all garnering major honors from critics, restaurant organizations and even his fellow chefs.

Batali, along with several partners, now own seven restaurants in New York, several more in Las Vegas and even a couple here in Los Angeles. He’s part owner of Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza on the corner of Highland and Melrose avenues.

Batali is also actively involved in philanthropic work. He has his own foundation that supports education and nutrition efforts for children and he’s one of 10 celebrity chefs that have signed on to Food and Wine Magazine’s “Chef’s Make Change,” an effort to raise a million dollars for various charity organizations. He’s also seen on “Iron Chef America,” and a new daily talk show on ABC called “The Chew.”

We’ll talk to Batali about his new book, “Molto Batali: Simple Family Meals from My Home to Yours,” his busy family and work life, and the possibility that he’ll be cutting off his trademark ponytail for charity!

Guest:

Mario Batali, celebrity chef, restaurateur, cookbook author.

Batali will be signing “Molto Batali: Simple Family Meals from My Home to Yours” on Friday, January 27th at 1pm at Mozza 2 Go (6610 Melrose Avenue).